January is supposed to feel like a fresh start.

New year. New goals. New energy.

But if I’m honest, most people I talk to in January don’t feel energized — they feel tired, stretched thin, and already behind.

And I’ll be honest… I’m right there with you.

I took time away over the holidays. Real time. The kind you think will refill your cup and reset everything. And in some ways, it did. There was rest. There were quiet moments. There was space to breathe.

But there was also real life.

Two kids who need me in very real ways. One recovering, one navigating health challenges. A growing business that doesn’t magically pause just because it’s Christmas week. And a house where, if I’m being totally honest, Christmas is still alive and well — the decorations are still up, the routines aren’t fully back, and the emotional energy of the season is still lingering.

So here I am in January. Grateful. But tired.
Motivated. But overwhelmed.
Clear on my vision. But very aware of my capacity.

And yet — in the midst of all of this — I’m also genuinely excited.

Excited about the risks I’m taking this year.
Excited about partnering with more organizations and individuals to help them maximize their teams, their leadership, and their dreams.
Excited about new masterminds, a new podcast, and the ways I’m being stretched both personally and professionally.
Excited about the kind of growth that isn’t just external, but deeply personal and spiritual too.

It’s a strange combination — exhaustion and expansion living side by side.

But I’m learning that this is often what growth actually feels like.

And that’s exactly why this message matters so much to me right now:

This is often the exact moment when risk matters most.

You Don’t Have to Feel Ready

We’ve been sold the idea that we should only take risks when:

• We feel confident
• We’re well-rested
• We have clarity
• We’re not afraid

But that’s rarely how growth actually works.

Most meaningful risks are taken when:

• You’re unsure
• You’re tired
• You don’t have the full plan
• You just know something has to change

Readiness is not a feeling.
It’s a decision.

Some of the biggest decisions I’ve made in my life — personally and professionally — didn’t happen when everything felt calm and organized. They happened in seasons where I was juggling kids, family needs, emotional weight, and a business that was asking me to step into a bigger version of myself.

Not because I felt ready.

But because I felt called.

Burnout Isn’t a Stop Sign

When you feel overwhelmed, it’s easy to assume:
“I can’t add anything else.”

I’ve caught myself thinking that so many times lately.

Between doctor appointments, recovery schedules, school logistics, and trying to show up fully for my clients and my business, there are days where the idea of taking any new risk feels laughable.

But I’ve learned this: overwhelm is often a signal, not a stop sign.

It usually means:

• You’ve outgrown your current way of operating
• You’re carrying too much that isn’t aligned anymore
• You’re being invited into a new season

The risk isn’t always about doing more.

Sometimes the real risk is:

• Saying no
• Letting go of old expectations
• Asking for help
• Admitting you can’t do it all the same way anymore

For me, some of the bravest risks lately have looked like protecting my energy, simplifying commitments, and making decisions that honor both my family and the future I’m building.

Those don’t look dramatic on Instagram.
But they are deeply transformational in real life.

Small Risks Still Change Everything

We tend to think of risk as something big and dramatic.
Quit the job. Start the business. End the relationship. Move across the country.

But most life-changing risks start small:

• Sending the email you’ve been avoiding
• Booking the call that scares you
• Sharing the idea before it’s perfect
• Speaking up when it would be easier to stay quiet
• Trying again after disappointment

In this season of my life, small risks are what I actually have capacity for. And I’ve learned to respect that.

Small risks build momentum.
Momentum builds confidence.
Confidence changes your life.

You don’t have to blow up your life in January.
You just have to move it one honest step forward.

You Don’t Need More Energy — You Need More Truth

Here’s something I see over and over in my coaching work — and in my own life:

People don’t actually need more motivation.
They need more honesty.

Honesty about:

• What’s draining them
• What they’ve outgrown
• What they’re avoiding
• What they really want

Because clarity creates energy.
Not the other way around.

Right now, I’m having to be incredibly honest with myself about capacity, season, priorities, and what “success” actually looks like in this chapter. It’s not about doing everything. It’s about doing the right things — with intention, alignment, and self-trust.

And what I know for sure is this: the growth I’m stepping into this year isn’t just about scaling a business. It’s about becoming a more grounded leader, a more present mom, a more courageous woman, and a more spiritually aligned version of myself.

That kind of growth requires risk. Always has.

The Risk Is the Reward

The reward isn’t always immediate success.

Sometimes the reward is:

• Self-trust
• Relief
• Alignment
• Momentum
• A deeper sense of “I’m living my life on purpose”

The real risk isn’t failing.

The real risk is staying stuck in a life that no longer fits — just because you’re waiting for more energy, more certainty, or a calmer season.

So if you’re tired…
If you’re overwhelmed…
If you’re still emotionally in last year while the calendar says it’s a new one…

You’re not behind.
You’re not broken.
And you’re not disqualified from growth.

You’re human.
And you’re right on time.

Take the risk.

Not because you feel ready —
But because your future self is waiting for you to move.

Go for it!
I believe in you.

— Your Coach Sara